Trump Stumps for Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Runoff
President Donald Trump hit the campaign trail Friday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, throwing his full weight behind Sen. Darline Graham ahead of a critical Republican runoff that could determine control of the Senate. The rally came after Graham stumbled in a debate, raising questions about her readiness to fill the seat left vacant by her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Speaking to a packed crowd, Trump urged voters to treat the election as a referendum on his own agenda. He framed Graham as a loyal ally who would advance his America First priorities in Washington.
“We're going to elect Senator Darline Graham to fight, fight, fight for South Carolina and to always put America first,” Trump said. “You vote for her, you're going to be very proud of that vote.”
The president also invoked the memory of Lindsey Graham, his longtime ally who died last month after serving South Carolina in Congress for 31 years.
“I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me,” Trump said.
Why Trump's Endorsement Faces Scrutiny
Trump's political capital has taken hits in recent primaries. Several of his endorsed candidates have lost, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in South Carolina's gubernatorial primary, a Trump-backed governor candidate in Wyoming, and two Florida House contenders. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell also fell short in Minnesota's gubernatorial primary.
Those losses follow earlier defeats for Trump-endorsed candidates in Georgia, Michigan, and Iowa earlier this year.
Despite those setbacks, Trump made clear that Graham's race is personal. He told Republicans in South Carolina to cast their ballots as if he were on the ticket himself.
“What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important,” he said. “Just say that I'm on the ballot one more time.”
Graham's Debate Gaffe Sparks Concerns
Graham advanced to the runoff by topping Rep. Ralph Norman by eight percentage points in the first round. But her campaign hit turbulence after a debate answer on U.S.-Taiwan relations raised eyebrows. She admitted she is “not that informed on national security” and that “national security is not my thing.”
Republicans across the state and beyond piled on, questioning whether she has the experience to handle the job. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who supports Norman, criticized Graham's answer. Former Gov. Mark Sanford also endorsed Norman hours before Friday's rally, saying “the stakes are too high” to back Graham.
Trump dismissed the concerns, telling reporters that Graham's honesty was a virtue, not a liability.
“She was just being honest,” Trump said. “It hasn't been her thing, but she's surrounded by very good people, and she said that she's totally for the military.”
“She's going to do what the military wants, and really what the president wants,” he continued. “She understands that national security is my thing.”
Graham Channels Trump's 2016 Playbook
Speaking ahead of the president, Graham tried to turn her lack of political experience into an asset, drawing a direct parallel to Trump's own path to the White House.
“The critics say I shouldn't run for the senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd. “By the way, President Trump had never served in an elected office before, and I think he's done a damn good job.”
Gov. Henry McMaster also endorsed Graham ahead of the rally, praising her for continuing her brother's work and standing with Trump on the America First agenda.
Trump's Political Capital on the Line
Friday's rally marked a rare in-person campaign event for Trump, who has largely relied on social media posts and telerallies to boost Senate candidates in battleground states. He has yet to tap into the $403 million war chest at his primary super PAC, MAGA Inc., drawing frustration from some Republicans.
Trump told reporters he will spend “a lot of that money” to support candidates he believes in, though he did not specify which races.
The president also warned of the stakes if Republicans lose control of Congress, saying Democrats would move quickly to investigate and impeach him.
“You're going to lose everything,” he said. “I'm going to have to go through impeachment.”
What's Next for the South Carolina Runoff
The runoff between Graham and Norman will take place in the coming days. The winner will face the Democratic nominee in the general election for the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term.
For Iowa readers, the race is another test of Trump's influence within the Republican Party, a dynamic that has played out in primaries across the country, including in the Hawkeye State. Trump's endorsement record in Iowa this year has been mixed, and the outcome in South Carolina could signal how much weight his backing carries heading into the midterms.
Graham's campaign has emphasized affordability, Second Amendment rights, and traditional conservative values. Norman has positioned himself as a proven conservative with a strong legislative record.
The runoff is shaping up as a proxy fight between establishment pragmatism and Trump-aligned loyalty, with the former president making clear he expects Republicans to fall in line.
Alec Hernandez contributed to this report.